Fatwa issued against using other’s Wifi without permission

Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities (IACAD) in Dubai has issued a fatwa prohibiting the use of others’ Internet WiFi service without their permission.

On the department’s website, a person posted a query under the IACAD’s modern fatwas section, asking that whether it was permissible to use other people’s Wi-Fi service without their knowledge.

The fatwa stated that, “it is not allowed for people to use what belongs to others without payment or without their permission. Therefore, the Internet should be used only after subscribing to the service.”

It also added that using illegal Wi-Fi could reduce the Internet speed for the original user if many people shared the Internet connection.

According to the Islamic Supreme Council, a fatwa is: “an Islamic legal pronouncement, issued by an expert in religious law (mufti), pertaining to a specific issue, usually at the request of an individual or judge to resolve an issue where Islamic jurisprudence is unclear.”

The council’s website further stated that “typically, such uncertainty arises as Muslim society works to address new issues – issues that develop as technology and society advance.”